New Jump Street sequel falls flat

By
CHRIS PEDLER

A COMMON rule among film directors, actors and producers is that a sequel is never as good as the original.

A COMMON rule among film directors, actors and producers is that a sequel is never as good as the original.

But all the executives that control the cash and yay or nay the production of a new film sometimes have so many dollars in their eyes that they ruin a good thing.

Such is the case with 22 Jump Street the sequel to last year’s surprisingly popular comedy 21 Jump Street.

Obviously based on the 1980s television series, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum return as Schmidt and Jenko, two cops who specialise in going undercover at schools and colleges to solve crimes.

Right from the outset, 22 Jump Street acknowledges it has a lot to live up to.

Plenty of the jokes revolve around second editions not being as good as the first as well as a stupid amount of money for something that is essentially the same as what is was 12 months ago.

For people who might have missed the 21 Jump Street reboot last year, Schmidt and Jenko went back to high school to uncover a drug ring.

It was funny, clever and poked fun at the fact that school has changed since the 1980s when the television series was so popular.

In the sequel, Schmidt and Jenko are sent to college to uncover a drug ring.

It’s not as funny, tries too hard to be clever and pokes fun at itself so much that a lot of the gags feel worn down by half way through the film.

That said, Hill and Tatum have managed to keep their comedic chemistry strong.

The pair work well together with Hill's neurotic need to constantly be a team playing well against the relaxed, fun-loving attitude that Tatum brings to the table.

The conflict for Schmidt and Jenko comes from their bromance being threatened - Jenko wants to join a frat house while Schmidt is left on the outer.

It leads to the predictable and slightly stale gag of them being compared to a married couple and having to go to therapy session and trying to smooth things over.

But despite all that, 22 Jump Street does manage to garner a few laughs. They are mostly led by Tatum as the goofy and physically capable athlete type rather than the often awkward gags Hill is left with. There is also a great tantrum from the boys’ boss played by Ice Cube.

Younger audiences will be excited for this sequel... but they shouldn’t be.

22 Jump Street (MA15+) is now showing at Bendigo Cinemas. See page 3 of the Bendigo Advertiser for session times.